By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Brandywine's varsity wrestling team put all of the small talk to rest Wednesday evening by claiming the Division 4 District title in Eau Claire.
The Bobcats met River Valley in the final round and posted a 54-25 victory. Talk was that, with the loss of a few key players, the Bobcats may not be able to pull through. However, head coach Rex Pomranka said his team was refocused and ready to go, and it was proven on the mats.
The Bobcats jumped to an impressive 30-0 lead after winning all of the upper weight class matches.
Justin Price won by forfeit at 152-pounds, as did Brad Ritchey at 160 and Jeremy Hechtl at 215.
Joel Perry pinned Justin Rabe with 2:40 on the clock at 171-pounds. Kyle Jones also won by pin against Spencer Brown at 189, and Danny Eaglebarger pinned Ben Kacmar at 285.
Bryon Fisher (112) and Pat Van Laere (125) both won by forfeit for the Bobcats, and Chase Molica pinned Gage Binversie at 140-pounds.
The Bobcats now advance to the Division 4 regional in Decatur against the winner of the Gobles District.
In semifinals action, Brandywine handed Cassopolis a 54-23 loss, while the Mustangs beat Eau Claire, 48-21.
Division 4 District Tournament
Finals
Brandywine … 54
River Valley … 25
103 – Dustin McMullin(RV) pinned Justin Batman, 0:54
112 – Bryon Fisher (B) won by forfeit
119 – John Stein (RV) pinned Robert Nickless, 1:30
125 – Pat Vanlaere (B) won by forfeit
130 – Ryan Narregan (RV) pinned Anthony Aguilar, 4:58
135 – Tom Clark (RV) dec. Ben Gerber, 10-0
140 – Chase Molica (B) pinned Gage Binversie, 2:34
145 – Mike East (RV) dec. Josh Hayden, 14-10
152 – Justin Price (B) won by forfeit 160 – Brad Ritchey (B) won by forfeit
171 – Joel Perry (B) pinned Justin Rabe, 2:40
189 – Kyle Jones (B) pinned Spencer Brown, 2:50
215 – Jeremy Hechtl (B) won by forfeit
285 – Danny Eaglebarger (B) pinned Ben Kacmar, 1:33
Brandywine … 54
Cassopolis … 23
103 – Justin Batman (B) pinned Chasity Williams, 2:38
112 – Bryon Fisher (B) won by forfeit
119 – Robert Nickless (B) won by forfeit
125 – Pat Van Laere (B) won by forfeit
130 – Anthony Aquilar (B) won by forfeit
135 – Ben Gerber (B) won by forfeit
140 – Corey Lowe (C) pinned Chase Molica, 3:42
145 – Kim Vaughn (C) dec. Josh Hayden, 11-2
152 – Aaron Clifford (B) pinned John McCoy, 3:32
160 – Jeffery Anderson (C) pinned Joel Perry, :52
171 – Mike Degraff (C) pinned Robert Basker, 3:03
18- Darby Kelly (C) dec. Kye Jones, 15-9 215 – Jeremy Hechtl (B) pinned Josh Duebner, 1:31
285 – Danny Eaglebarger (B) pinned Scott Turnbow, 2:28